I have a custom tank that is about 225 gal that has a mix of LPS, SPS and soft corals along with 4-5 fish(blenny, tang, clowns, dottyback, angel). Circulation currently is from 2 Iwaki MD30XLT pumps located 4 feet below the tank, one attached to each of the dual sump/refugium through 4 returns drilled in the back of the tank. The center two returns are directed to cross each other while the outer two are directed straight from the back of the tank towards the front. I have never been able to locate a 1" (the size of that pump's output) Y connector, so I have a 1" to 3/4" reducer on each pump's output that immediately goes into a 3/4" Y and two lines back to the tank. I have 2 SQWDs but haven't figured out a way to plumb them inline, so I am not currently using them.
I am thinking of switching to a single pump, probably the same pump, that would draw off both sump/refugiums through a 1" diameter T connector, then run the output through another T connector, reduce each line to 3/4" and plumb the SQWDs inline. I would plan to continue to direct the center returns to cross and the outer returns straight forward, but the currents would only actually cross when the SQWDs happen to coincide flow through the center returns. That would give me less overall circulation but alternate the current and make it more random. To make up for the decreased water movement, I would add into the tank some powerheads (currently all the water movement is from the 2 pumps) probably a couple of Hydor Koralia circulation pumps one attached to each of the back corner overflows and directed at each other along the length(84") of the tank.
My questions are:
1) Will plumbing the T connectors both on the input and output sides of the pump work? Any problems with creating turbulence in line or resistance that puts a pressure head on the pump? The sump/refugium will also be connected by a seperate 1" diameter tube to keep the water levels equal.
2) What would the negative/positives be of decreasing the vol of flow through the sump/refugiums, while actually increasing the volume flow within the tank itself and increasing the turbulence and random nature of the flow in the tank?
3) Any suggestions for other ways to increase turbulence in the tank? What would be the benefit of increased turbulence? Do I need it?
4) I have also considered putting a Hydor rotating water defletor on two of the current returns, but flow through them is about 450 GPH and those devices are only rated for up to 300 GPH flow. Anyone have any experience using that device with higher than rated flow?
Thanks for your help and advice!
Fishdoc
I am thinking of switching to a single pump, probably the same pump, that would draw off both sump/refugiums through a 1" diameter T connector, then run the output through another T connector, reduce each line to 3/4" and plumb the SQWDs inline. I would plan to continue to direct the center returns to cross and the outer returns straight forward, but the currents would only actually cross when the SQWDs happen to coincide flow through the center returns. That would give me less overall circulation but alternate the current and make it more random. To make up for the decreased water movement, I would add into the tank some powerheads (currently all the water movement is from the 2 pumps) probably a couple of Hydor Koralia circulation pumps one attached to each of the back corner overflows and directed at each other along the length(84") of the tank.
My questions are:
1) Will plumbing the T connectors both on the input and output sides of the pump work? Any problems with creating turbulence in line or resistance that puts a pressure head on the pump? The sump/refugium will also be connected by a seperate 1" diameter tube to keep the water levels equal.
2) What would the negative/positives be of decreasing the vol of flow through the sump/refugiums, while actually increasing the volume flow within the tank itself and increasing the turbulence and random nature of the flow in the tank?
3) Any suggestions for other ways to increase turbulence in the tank? What would be the benefit of increased turbulence? Do I need it?
4) I have also considered putting a Hydor rotating water defletor on two of the current returns, but flow through them is about 450 GPH and those devices are only rated for up to 300 GPH flow. Anyone have any experience using that device with higher than rated flow?
Thanks for your help and advice!
Fishdoc
